sport pilot certificate

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 Sport Pilot Certificates have recently become a more viable option for those that are not on the carrier path.  The Sport Pilot Certificate can be obtained in as little as 20 hours. Some restrictions include you can only fly with 1 passenger and you can not fly at night. 

The FAA is in the process of implementing the  Modernization of Special  Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule. 

This rule will be rolled out throughout 2025 and will include-

• 4 seat aircraft are now allowed but you are still restricted to 1 passenger.
• Maximum weight of aircraft has been removed allowing for the use of legacy Certified aircraft such as Cessna 172's and 182's.
• Maximum airspeed has been increased to 250 knots.
•  Features like controllable-pitch propellers and retractable landing gear are now permitted with proper training and endorsements from an instructor.  
•  Fly at night is allowed with proper training and endorsement from instructor. 
•  Sport Pilots are now permitted to engage in limited commercial operations such as aerial photography, agricultural observation, and infrastructure inspection. 

Training requirements for a sport pilot certificate with airplane category —

• A minimum of 20 hours flight time including:
  • 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor.
  • 5 hours solo flight.
• Flight training must include at least:
  • 2 hours cross-country flight training.
  • 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop.
  • One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations.
  • 2 hours flight training in preparation for the practical test.
  • Ground training from an instructor or home-study course.
• FAA knowledge test on applicable aeronautical knowledge areas.
• FAA practical test for the applicable light-sport aircraft privilege.